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CITY

Lake Isabella

California · 4,059 residents · 21.714 sq mi
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The short version

Lake Isabella has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $26,661. Population has grown 22% since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $132,900. The poverty rate of 40.7% is well above the national figure. It falls in the bottom 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,059
+22%since 2000
from 3,315 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
187 / sq mi
+22%since 2000
from 153 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.3
−21%since 2000
from 46.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K4K4K1990201020202024Lake Isabella
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,661
−26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $19,813 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,896
+56%since 2000
from $11,452 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
13.1%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
40.7%
+20.2 ptssince 2000
from 20.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.475
−1%since 2010
from 0.480 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information20.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade10.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance1.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Retail trade0%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$132,900
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,163
+35%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $474 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
58.8%
−8.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.8% in 2000
41.2% rent
Vacancy rate
24.5%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
43.9%
+19.5 ptssince 2009
from 24.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
74.9%
+20.6 ptssince 2009
from 54.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.0
+69%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
24
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake Isabella on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.6%(2,870)
Black0.1%(2)
Hispanic / Latino6.8%(224)
Asian0.8%(26)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.7%(620)
2024
White, non-Hispanic74.6%(3,027)
Black0.6%(25)
Hispanic / Latino15.5%(628)
Asian0.4%(17)
Other8.9%(362)
Diversity Score51.5%(2,090)
Diversity Score
51
+175%since 2000
from 19 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.0%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.9%
+30.3 ptssince 2000
from 61.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.7 min
+1%since 2000
from 18.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.5%
+17.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.6%
−17.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.7%
+10.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
11.5%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
34.0%
−11.5 ptssince 2011
from 45.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.1%
+19.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.8%
−28.3 ptssince 2009
from 55.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 46.3% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 53.7% in 2009
Foreign born
2.6%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.2%
−38.7 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.6%
−5.1 ptssince 2012
from 24.7% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.1%
−68.3 ptssince 2013
from 70.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
72.6%
+2.6 ptssince 2017
from 70.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.3%
−4.8 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.3%
+2.3 ptssince 2016
from 1.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Lake Isabella to nearby cities

LAKE ISABELLA VS
East Niles
Income$55,124+107%
Home value$251,500+89%
Population28,532+603%
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LAKE ISABELLA VS
Hillcrest
Income$46,285+74%
Home value$272,700+105%
Population10,511+159%
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LAKE ISABELLA VS
East Bakersfield
Income$38,644+45%
Home value$208,700+57%
Population11,062+173%
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LAKE ISABELLA VS
La Cresta
Income$49,605+86%
Home value$262,000+97%
Population8,389+107%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake Isabella, California?

Lake Isabella, California has about 4,059 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lake Isabella, California?

The typical household in Lake Isabella, California earns about $26,661 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake Isabella, California expensive?

In Lake Isabella, California, the median home is worth about $132,900, and the typical rent is about $1,163 a month.

How educated are people in Lake Isabella, California?

About 11.0% of adults age 25 and over in Lake Isabella, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lake Isabella, California?

About 40.7% of people in Lake Isabella, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lake Isabella, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Lake Isabella, California has grown since 1990. The population has added about 736 residents, a change of about 22 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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